Kenny Campbell of Wheelhouse Technologies has been added to the diesel engine seminar marquee at TrawlerFest-Bay Bridge on the Chesapeake next month. Campbell, a Scotsman, joins fellow ex-pat Nigel Calder, a Brit, and native born Steve Zimmeran as instructors for “Everything You Need to Know About Diesel Engines.”

Campbell will teach a module on maintance of complex systems, participate in the end-course panel and be available for general commentary. The diesel course happens Sept. 26-27 at the marina on Kent Island.

This two-day session combines classroom time with hands-on engine time in the shop. It combines theory and practical troubleshooting instruction, and it does so with a touch of humor to keep things lively. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion that in some cases may help save some money on their boat insurance.

Kenneth Campbell grew up on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and was brought up with salt water running through his veins. His early career was spent in the British Army as a mechanical engineer and a crew member in regimental and army sailing teams which included a highlight of participating in a round the world yacht race. 

Following the Army, Kenny became a marine engineer working aboard commercial ships and super yachts worldwide. This was followed with several shore based positions, including: a marine project manager; planner; and most notably a port engineer managing the engineering and maintenance of a large fleet of high speed ferries. He currently serves as a sales manager with WheelHouse Technologies and resides in Newport, R.I. 

PURCHASE TICKETS

WheelHouse Technologies was founded in 2006 by Barry Kallander, submarine service veteran and U.S. Coast Guard licensed master with a vision to improve the availability and reliability of yachts and workboats through sound maintenance practices. The company provides WheelHouse Yacht Solutions and WheelHouse Fleet Solutions, a computerized maintenance management system operating in the cloud for single vessels and fleets. 

Well known as an author, Calder is PassageMaker’s technical editor, and Zimmerman writes the magazine’s “Troubleshooter” column. Both men are real-deal cruisers.

Calder is author of six books, including Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual, Marine Diesel Engines, Refrigeration for Pleasureboats, The Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean, and Cuba: A Cruising Guide. Zimmerman, a long-time friend of the magazine, is president of Zimmerman Marine, which operates four boatyards, in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, specializing in repairs, refits and maintenance. He has been repairing and building boats for almost four decades.

The TrawlerFest boat show and seminar series happens at Bay Bridge Marina Yacht Club on Kent Island at the foot of Maryland’s magnificent Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 26-30. The boat show runs Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 28-30, and includes booths displaying marine products and services.

There are 28 seminars altogether. The diesel seminar is the longest course offering at roughly 16 hours. Another is the equivalent of one eight-hour day. Seven are 3 1/2 -4 hours And 19 are short courses, at two-hours. All the technical seminars provide attendees with certificates of completion.

The best value is to purchase a VIP pass which allows entry into any and all of the seminars (except the diesel and “Hands-On Boat Handling” seminars) for a set price, which also includes admission to the show and evening social events.

MESSAGE TO SAILORS

Nearby Annapolis is known as the “Sailing Capital of the United States.” Here’s a message to Bay Sailors: Even though the event is called TrawlerFest, and its brought to you by PassageMaker magazine, most of the seminars are “propulsion agnostic.” That is, their lessons apply equally to sailors as well as power cruisers.